Hot Air Balloon Catches Fire in Texas Killing 16

Authorities in central Texas say as many as 16 people may be dead in a hot air balloon crash near Austin.

The Caldwell County Sheriff says they received a 911 call around 7:44 a.m. about a possible vehicle accident. When officers arrived on the scene it was apparent that the reported fire was the basket portion of the hot air balloon.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has notified the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. The sheriff there says there does not appear to be any survivors in this accident.

Lockhart is about 30 miles south of Austin.

Back in 2014, Jim Cox took the pictures at the top of the post of a hot air balloon on fire in Virginia.